0:01:00 Extreme weather and the future of hurricane prediction As we approach the middle of Atlantic hurricane season, Due South explores federal cuts at the National Weather Service and NOAA and our preparedness in the face of extreme weather events. New York Times reporter and meteorologist Judson Jones and Andy Hazelton, a former NOAA scientist focusing on hurricane and model development, join co-host Jeff Tiberii to talk the past, present and future of storm predictions. Judson Jones , meteo...
Aug 05, 2025•50 min
0:01:00 Duke Health could lose more than $100 million in federal funding. The latest on a threat to Duke Health's federal funding, and allegations of racial discrimination at the medical school and health care system. Leoneda Inge speaks with a reporter to get the latest. Brian Gordon , Business and Technology Reporter at The Raleigh News & Observer 0:13:00 The Avett Brothers’ bassist has a side hustle – hosting an American history podcast. Bob Crawford might be best known for his music, but...
Aug 04, 2025•50 min
This week on the North Carolina News Roundup... Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley announced their bids for the U.S. Senate — what do their 2026 prospects look like? State lawmakers override eight of Governor Josh Stein's fourteen vetoes with the help of some Democrats. A mini-budget approved by the General Assembly has been sent to Governor Stein's desk, but how close are lawmakers to working out a full budget? An update from wester...
Aug 01, 2025•50 min
0:01:00 NC sees rise in immigration arrests Detentions from federal immigration enforcement are up significantly in North Carolina. WUNC’s Aaron Sanchez-Guerra has been reporting on the increase and talks with Jeff Tiberii. Aaron Sanchez-Guerra , Race, Class and Communities reporter for WUNC Related: ICE arrests of immigrants rise by 170% in North Carolina. Here's what to know 0:13:00 Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead on changing immigration law The US Department of Homeland Security has l...
Jul 31, 2025•50 min
The International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Its focus on the mid-20th century’s civil rights movement’s enduring impact continues to resonate in today’s political climate. Leoneda Inge talks to co-founder Earl Jones about the museum’s history, its recent 15th anniversary gala and its intentions for the future. This year also marks the 65th anniversary of the Greensboro civil rights sit-ins, a milestone that was also honored ...
Jul 30, 2025•50 min
Raleigh is not our state’s biggest city, but as state capital Raleigh is the center of North Carolina’s political life and it is home to almost half a million people. In Due South’s latest edition of “Meet the Mayors,” Leoneda Inge talks with Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell about her wide-ranging political career: from a Raleigh city councilor to a NC state senator to NC State Treasurer and now back to city government. Then, North Carolina is one of more than a dozen states where the government contr...
Jul 29, 2025•50 min
0:01:00 The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is now law. How will it take shape in North Carolina? Now that the “one big, beautiful bill” has passed, how are the provisions likely to take shape here in North Carolina for individuals and for communities? Jeff Tiberii talks with an economist about what to expect. Bharat Ramamurti , Senior Advisor for Economic Strategy at the American Economic Liberties Project, former Deputy Director of the National Economic Council in the Biden Administration 0:13:00 Due Sou...
Jul 28, 2025•50 min
On this week’s, North Carolina News Roundup: a look at the upcoming race for U.S. Senate seats in North Carolina, as former governor Roy Cooper and RNC chair Michael Whatley prepare to run, significant job cuts at Meredith College, federal education funding that has been “released” to NC public schools and state lawmakers’ efforts to override several gubernatorial vetoes. Guests Dawn Vaughan , Capital Bureau Chief, News & Observer Liz Schlemmer , K-12 education reporter, WUNC Adam Wagner, ed...
Jul 25, 2025•50 min
Workers who labor on farms and construction sites experience extreme heat frequently in the workplace, but there are also service workers who face extreme heat. With rising temperatures from global warming, these already harsh conditions are only getting worse. WUNC’s Aaron Sánchez-Guerra and Celeste Gracia spoke with several workers for their series ‘Scorched Workers’ in 2024. Since then, the series has won several regional journalism awards, and a national award for audience engagement. This c...
Jul 24, 2025•34 min
When news hit about the devastating flooding that struck Texas Hill Country, many in western North Carolina immediately thought of their own experiences with Helene. BeLoved Asheville is one of several WNC groups that have put their collective grief into action by reaching out and delivering supplies to communities in Texas – communities that helped them in the aftermath of their own devastation last fall. (This interview originally aired July 17, 2025.) Then, if you’re an avid public radio list...
Jul 23, 2025•41 min
What federal funding cuts mean for WUNC and public media Public radio stations were dealt a major blow last week. Congress finalized a rescission package from the White House that claws back $1.1 billion in federally appropriated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Stations like WUNC have relied on CPB funding for decades. To understand what this all means, WUNC’s president and general manager Paul Hunton joins Due South to explain and forecast where we go from here. Paul Hunton...
Jul 22, 2025•36 min
A NCGA legislative session wrap up From hemp regulation to bans on inshore shrimp trawling and raw milk sales, the vast majority of the almost 1800 bills filed in the North Carolina General Assembly's recent long legislative session did not pass. Co-host Jeff Tiberii talks with a panel of state politics reporters about some of the notable bills that didn’t make it to the governor’s desk and what it all means for the state and the next legislative session. A new pilot program addresses homelessne...
Jul 21, 2025•50 min
On the North Carolina News Roundup... What recovery from flooding in central NC looks like. Why NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing the US Department of Education. NIH layoffs in the Triangle are now officially official. And Congress rolls back funding for public media. Guest host Will Michaels talks with a panel of journalists about those stories and more, on Due South. Paul Hunton , President and General Manager of North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC Celeste Gracia , Environment Reporter,...
Jul 18, 2025•50 min
From Asheville with love. WNC organization sends support to Texas in aftermath of flooding. When news hit about the devastating flooding that struck Texas Hill Country, many in western North Carolina immediately thought of their own experiences with Helene. BeLoved Asheville is one of several WNC groups that have put their collective grief into action by reaching out and delivering supplies to communities in Texas – communities that helped them in the aftermath of their own devastation last fall...
Jul 17, 2025•50 min
Tropical Storm Chantal has caused extensive damage to businesses in Chapel Hill, after as much as 10 inches of floodwater hit buildings and shopping centers on July 6. In the days since, the damage has been assessed at more than $56 million. Aaron Keck, reporter for Chapelboro.com, talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii. Then, from its creation by Native Americans almost one thousand years ago to more recent conflicts around race and class, sportswriter S. L. Price says so many complexities of American...
Jul 16, 2025•50 min
Leoneda Inge talks to Duke University's Heat Policy Innovation Hub director Ashley Ward. Jeff Tiberii talks to NC State entomologist Clyde Sorenson. Chefs Melanie Wilkerson and Sicily Sierra discuss their move to Durham and their Southern influences.
Jul 15, 2025•50 min
Fewer WWII soldiers' remains are being accepted by close relatives. The remains of one of the final victims of the Pearl Harbor bombing have been identified and brought to North Carolina. Neil Frye was 20 years old, and serving as a Mess Attendant 3rd Class in the Navy on the U.S.S. West Virginia. For eight decades, his relatives wanted final confirmation that Frye died, but until recently his remains had not been identified. Jay Price , Military reporter for WUNC and The American Homefront Proj...
Jul 14, 2025•50 min
On the North Carolina News Roundup... Flooding from Chantal will have lasting impacts. More vetoes from the governor... which ones are likely to result in overrides? And, we’ll hear about whether new toll roads are coming to Wake County. Co-host Jeff Tiberii talks with a panel of journalists about those stories and more, on Due South. Guests Colin Campbell , Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC Dawn Vaughan , Capitol Bureau Chief, The News & Observer Gary Robertson , statehouse reporter, Associated Pr...
Jul 11, 2025•50 min
The results of a federal trial on legislative and congressional district maps in North Carolina will determine whether the GOP’s efforts to redraw district lines in 2023 were lawfully partisan or illegally discriminatory. The trial wrapped on July and a verdict is pending. Jeff Tiberii talks to Paul Garber, who has covered the trial for WFDD. As a midsize city with rapid population growth and surging housing costs, Charlotte is a city to study, when it comes to affordable housing solutions. Hist...
Jul 10, 2025•50 min
How the Durham Bulls beat the heat If there are two things you can count on this time of year – it's baseball and the heat. Leoneda talks with Durham Bulls Interim General Manager Chrystal Rowe about how athletes and fans are beating the heat this summer. Chrystal Rowe , Interim General Manager of the Durham Bulls Roy Wood Jr. on 'Road to Rickwood' and the civil rights legacy of the Birmingham baseball field Roy Wood Jr. hosts the podcast “Road to Rickwood” about the Birmingham, Alabama baseball...
Jul 09, 2025•50 min
Wilkes County ‘Recovery Court’ funding sliced Recovery Court is a tool in the justice system for nonviolent drug offenses. In many places, including some in North Carolina, it’s a way to offer “services, treatment and the potential to avoid prison.” A plan for a recovery court in Wilkes County was set to go forward with federal funding, until the Trump White House rescinded it. Geoff Hing , data reporter The Marshall Project Community-based opioid treatment program Project Lazarus Opioid deaths ...
Jul 08, 2025•50 min
Chantal's damage and aftermath in North Carolina Flash flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal caused evacuations and water rescues in several NC counties. We get an update from a National Weather Service meteorologist. Dan Leins , Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Raleigh Southern News, Southern Politics: How a Newspaper Defined a State for a Century The Raleigh News and Observer has a complicated and consequential history in North Carolina. The story of the N&O – or the “Nuis...
Jul 07, 2025•50 min
0:01:00 Mecklenburg County’s own Declaration of Independence? May 20, 1775, is a date you may recognize from the North Carolina state flag. It represents what was supposedly the first declaration of independence made by any of the 13 colonies involved in the American Revolution. That date was added more than a century ago, but its authenticity was first contested by Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. This conversation originally aired on May 20, 2025. Scott Syfert , author of ‘The First Declaratio...
Jul 04, 2025•50 min
As hurricane season begins in North Carolina, Due South’s Jeff Tiberii talks to WCNC chief meteorologist Brad Panovich about what may be on the horizon regarding storms this summer. Brad Panovich , WCNC chief meteorologist NPR investigative correspondent Laura Sullivan shares her reporting the new PBS documentary, Hurricane Helene’s Deadly Warning, and what the fateful storm revealed about America’s lack of preparedness for future natural disasters. Laura Sullivan , NPR investigative corresponde...
Jul 04, 2025•50 min
This encore episode first aired in Sep. 2024 Hampton Roads young residents leaving in droves, report finds potential solutions A lack of job opportunities, and a high cost of housing, are just two of the reasons young residents are leaving the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. A local reporter explains the data, and the potential solutions local leaders are trying. *encore edition* Ryan Murphy , WHRO’s business and growth reporter More people moving t...
Jul 03, 2025•50 min
(This encore episode originally aired December 18, 2024) Triangle restaurateur follows simple rule: 'respect the ingredient' If you live in the Triangle and eat at local restaurants, you’ve likely indulged your palate at one of Giorgios Bakatsias’ cafes, bistros, or tavernas. Giorgios’ restaurant empire dots the region’s culinary landscape, from Chapel Hill to Durham to Raleigh to Wake Forest, and in recent years even expanding out to Wilmington. And after more than four decades in the business,...
Jul 01, 2025•50 min
0:01:00 Sen. Thom Tillis won't seek reelection Leoneda Inge talks with Colin Campbell about Sen. Thom Tillis’ announcement that he won’t seek reelection after opposing President Trump’s budget bill. Colin Campbell , Capitol Bureau Chief WUNC 0:13:00 'Black Folk' and the long history of collective action in the South Blair LM Kelley, author of Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class, explains how washerwomen across the South, and Pullman porters across the country, wielded the power of c...
Jun 30, 2025•50 min
This week on the North Carolina News Roundup... A policy dispute over North Carolina waterways ends in celebration for local shrimpers. A ban on smartphones in public schools could soon become the law of the land. How many billions would the state lose under the “big, beautiful bill”? Plus, Gov. Stein’s vetoes and a legislative session wrap up. Co-host Jeff Tiberii is joined by reporters from the Triangle and DC to dig into the week’s news.
Jun 27, 2025•50 min
As temperatures reach record highs, Duke Energy is asking customers to reduce their power usage between 3-8pm to avoid exhausting limited power reserves. We talk to a Duke Energy representative about ways to stay cool and conserve energy during this prolonged period of extreme heat. Guest: Caroline Fountain , Communications Manager, Duke Energy Since the late 1940s, when Ocean City was formed as a beach community where Black residents were afforded opportunities to purchase land and homes, the t...
Jun 26, 2025•50 min
Digging in to the economic and environmental benefits of recycling in North Carolina A consistent practice of recycling and reusing materials maintains the state’s recycling infrastructure and stimulates a circular economy. We talk to Matt James of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality about ways to strengthen individual and community recycling practices across the state. Matt James , Recycling Program Analyst, NC Department of Environmental Quality At The Scrap Exchange, second...
Jun 25, 2025•50 min
